Organization of This Presentation Brief review of Winlink 2000 architecture
Organization of This Presentation Brief review of Winlink 2000 architecture Features of Winlink 2000 that make it well suited for EmComm use.
Organization of This Presentation Brief review of Winlink 2000 architecture Features of Winlink 2000 that make it well suited for EmComm use. Recent enhancements to the Winlink system to adapt to new requirements by the EmComm community.
What is Winlink 2000 Worldwide system for sending e-mail via radio Provides e-mail from almost anywhere in the world. Provides vital support for 10,000+ sailors Adopted for contingency communication by many government agencies Used by infrastructure-critical NGOs such as International & American Red Cross, Southern Baptist Disaster Relief, DHS Tiered AT&T Disaster Response & Recovery, FedEx, Bridgestone Emergency Response Team, etc.
Emergency Communication... we got nothing when we tried calling out on HF. We tried calling the Maritime Mobile Net, but nothing was out there. As a last-ditch effort, we used Winlink to e-mail the Coast Guard for help. Within an hour, we heard a C-130 plane, and later, a helicopter overhead. Doug Faunt, N6TQS (Bounty survivor) 14 of 16 Crew rescued
Winlink 2000 System Architecture Hierarchal levels of the Winlink 2000 system: 1. Client system Radio, computer with Winlink software, TNC (or sound card) and you, the end-user! 2. Radio Message Server (RMS) Radio gateway between the client (end-user) and the Winlink system backbone. 3. Common Message Servers (CMS) Winlink backbone. 5 CMS locations, redundant, fault-tolerant, located on 3 continents. One CMS sufficient for operation.
Winlink 2000 Architecture CMS RMS (gateway) Client (you)
Client Winlink Stations
Winlink Connection Modes HF Pactor 1, 2, 3 and 4 Fast and reliable but requires an expensive modem ($1500+). HF WINMOR Poor man s Pactor. Not as good as Pactor, but operates with inexpensive sound card device ($100). Speed between Pactor 2 and 3. VHF/UHF Packet 9600 baud Fast, reliable, range limited and requires $400 modem (Kantronics or SCS Tracker). 1200 baud Slower, but can use inexpensive Byonics TinyTrak-4 modem. Telnet Non-radio connection through the Internet. Good for training and use if radio is down or network is busy.
Pactor Speeds (HF)
SignaLink External Soundcard for Winmor External SignaLink soundcard costs about $100 and works well for Winmor and all other digital modes. Connect to computer via USB and radio data port.
Winlink Ham HF Gateways in America & Europe
Advantages of VHF/UHF Packet Much smaller and more convenient antenna for VHF/UHF. Excellent for drop-kits. Less expensive modem than Pactor. High speed 9600 baud over UHF using SCS Tracker or Kantronics KPC-9612+ modem (about $400). FM connections are usually reliable and static-free.
Disadvantages of VHF/UHF Packet Requires local VHF/UHF RMS site. May locations don t have access to a VHF/UHF RMS. Usual limitations of VHF/UHF line of site, limited range, possible blockage by hills or buildings. If the local infrastructure is down, the local RMS will probably be down too. HF is a better choice for backup communications in major emergencies.
Winlink Ham VHF/UHF Gateways in America & Europe
What Winlink 2000 Offers for EmComm Flexibility: Internet-only (Telnet) direct connections to Winlink. Radio link bridge to Internet e-mail Radio-only store and forward messaging Peer-to-peer connections between radio end-users Various levels of security including message encryption Interoperability: Connect different types of systems Bridge different radio capabilities (VHF/UHF/HF) Bridge protocols: Pactor, Winmor, Packet, Robust Packet Seamless integration with Internet e-mail Geographical dispersion and redundancy for reliability
What Winlink Offers for EmComm (more) Standard e-mail format with many features Binary file attachments (pictures, pdf, spreadsheets) Automatic message compression/decompression Encryption capabilities available to Agencies on nonham channels Time independence Ability to collect messages while unattended Good operation at most power levels Not limited by station-to-station propogation Message logging, and ICS report generation Wide adoption by EmComm related agencies
Levels of Message Validation & Correction No validation or correction RTTY, BPSK-31. Forward Error Correction (FEC) Redundant information transmitted so minor errors can be corrected: MT63, Olivia, QPSK-31. Automatic Repeat Request (ARQ) Positive or negative packet acknowledgements from receiving station: Pactor, Winmor, Packet, TCP/IP. Pactor and Winmor use both FEC and ARQ. Only ARQ provides 100% accurate message delivery. Accuracy is essential for EmComm.
Disaster Assessment Picture Sent Via Winlink 2000 Public safety systems do fail. Kentucky ice storm pix from TEMA recon vehicle.
Good Operation at Most Power Levels QTH: Nashville, TN 0.5 watts Pactor 3: South Carolina, New York, Michigan, Texas, Canada, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Florida, and Iowa. 0.5 watts Winmor: Wisconsin, Maine, Ohio, Texas, Indiana, South Carolina, and North Carolina. 5 watts Winmor: California and Canada Excellent for field operations on battery power. 100 watts is recommended for normal operations.
RMS Express E-mail Client Program. Multiple modes Multiple call signs Personal message folders Contacts address book
Composing a Message in RMS Express Click to start a message
RMS Express Channel List Estimate of Signal Path Quality Service Code Group Pactor Modes
RMS Express Message Review Review pending messages before downloading. Select which messages to download. Message too large & not wanted
Message Receipt Acknowledgements Positive acknowledgment that message was received Information about message filled in automatically
Information Requests Use the Winlink Catalog Request feature in RMS Express to request: Weather maps for most areas of the world Weather forecasts Maritime HF nets and frequencies Satellite images Location of closest 30 stations ARRL Newsletter, e-letter, etc. Misc. bulletins
RMS Express Query Catalog
Weather Map Image Returned for Request
Winlink Position Reports You can send position reports to the Winlink system. Coordinates sent via connected GPS. Otherwise, your position may be entered manually. Position Reports are sent to: Winlink system map ShipTrak maps APRS maps YotReps maps Extremely valuable for pinpointing locations, especially for maritime operation.
Posting a Position Report Data from a connected GPS unit. WX assistance to the NWS Voluntary Marine Observation Program. Useful in tracking with e-mailed disaster assessments.
Winlink.org Real-time Position Report Page
Position Tracking
GRIB File Requests
GRIB Map Returned by Winlink System
RMSMessageLog ICS-309 Generator Messages during period Select folders Starting & ending report period Generate ICS-309 pdf file
Generated ICS-309 PDF Message Log Report
Winlink Hybrid Network New capability for Winlink system. Radio-only: No Internet connection is required. RMS node running the RMS Relay program acts as a standalone message hub for multiple users. Messages are stored in a local database on the hub until picked up by the recipient. Any number of stations can communicate as long as they all connect to the same hub. Standard e-mail format is used and file attachments are supported. Option to hold messages until Internet available. HF forwarding to a RMS station via Pactor.
Radio-Only Winlink Network (no Internet)
Winlink Peer-To-Peer Radio-Only Operation Peer-to-peer: direct radio connection between end-users The Internet is not used, all communication by radio. Only the two client stations are involved. 100% error-free transmission and file attachments.
Winlink Drop Kits for Field Operation
Conclusion Winlink use continues to grow, especially for EmComm. The Winlink Development Team continues to enhance capabilities to adapt to changing needs. The new Winlink Hybrid Network allows Winlink to continue handling messages via HF forwarding if the Internet is down. Steady improvements are being implemented.
Thank you! Questions? Information about Winlink can be found at www.winlink.org Information about presenter at www.qrz.com W4PHS